Yesterday Jan 3,2018. My golf car was parked on a main street in Sosua. A neighbor of mine called me while I was out enjoying the day, informing me to not drive my golf car today. He said it was because the police had stopped other golf cars and confiscated them.
Well for me, I received the message too late, because I already took it out on the road.
About 20 minutes later, 4 PN police officers pulled up to my golf car parked across from my restaurant.
They were looking at the vehicle, and then around to see who it belonged to. I watched for a moment to see how long they were going to hang around. One guy was in plain clothes. He sat in the cart and tried a key he had in his hand. It didnt work, then he pulled out his phone to call somebody. At that point I went across the street to address the situation. I presumed they were going to arrange to tow it. They told me they needed to see papers on the vehicle. Namely some form of insurance. I told them I do not have insurance, and that my insurance company for my pasola said he isnt set up to ensure golf cars. Further, nobody I know has insurance on theirs. I asked why are they taking it if I cannot get insurance, a matricula or a plate for a golf cart?
All they said is I need to go up to the AMET station. That an attorney/abogado was supposed to be there to advise me on what was to happen. At 1st I was anxious to shoot up to the AMET station. But decided to wait and to seek some counsel or feedback 1st. Anyone reading know whats going on with the police and owners of golf carts? This is not the 1st time owners of golf cars were threatened with confiscation of their carts. A few months back AMET were stopping drivers, confiscating the carts. My understanding , is that if you did not have some form of insurance, you had to pay to get it back. I heard some individuals paid at least 5000 pesos?
And still unable to get insurance for it. Interesting though. A few months went by and everyone resumed driving their carts with no interference from AMET. Now the PN cops are going after any golf cart they see on the road.
I think an incident that happened about 2 weeks ago may play a role in why golf carts are an issue again. A gentleman/pedestrian named Andy Graham was supposedly hit by a golf cart driven by an individual who was driving reckless.
Mr Graham was hospitalized and incurred a significant expense for his injuries. I was told that the driver of the cart that hit Mr Graham was renting the golf cart, he didnt own it. So I am deducing that that incident might have sparked the attention of officials. Moreover, confiscation of golf carts will appease the local taxi and motoconcho drivers, many of which were opposed to the golf carts being driven around. They saw that as an increased threat to their business. Eventually I will visit AMET or the PN station to see what I can do about the situation. Or perhaps write off the golf cart if it becomes impossible to make it street legal to whom is in charge of this matter. Any insights anyone?
Well for me, I received the message too late, because I already took it out on the road.
About 20 minutes later, 4 PN police officers pulled up to my golf car parked across from my restaurant.
They were looking at the vehicle, and then around to see who it belonged to. I watched for a moment to see how long they were going to hang around. One guy was in plain clothes. He sat in the cart and tried a key he had in his hand. It didnt work, then he pulled out his phone to call somebody. At that point I went across the street to address the situation. I presumed they were going to arrange to tow it. They told me they needed to see papers on the vehicle. Namely some form of insurance. I told them I do not have insurance, and that my insurance company for my pasola said he isnt set up to ensure golf cars. Further, nobody I know has insurance on theirs. I asked why are they taking it if I cannot get insurance, a matricula or a plate for a golf cart?
All they said is I need to go up to the AMET station. That an attorney/abogado was supposed to be there to advise me on what was to happen. At 1st I was anxious to shoot up to the AMET station. But decided to wait and to seek some counsel or feedback 1st. Anyone reading know whats going on with the police and owners of golf carts? This is not the 1st time owners of golf cars were threatened with confiscation of their carts. A few months back AMET were stopping drivers, confiscating the carts. My understanding , is that if you did not have some form of insurance, you had to pay to get it back. I heard some individuals paid at least 5000 pesos?
And still unable to get insurance for it. Interesting though. A few months went by and everyone resumed driving their carts with no interference from AMET. Now the PN cops are going after any golf cart they see on the road.
I think an incident that happened about 2 weeks ago may play a role in why golf carts are an issue again. A gentleman/pedestrian named Andy Graham was supposedly hit by a golf cart driven by an individual who was driving reckless.
Mr Graham was hospitalized and incurred a significant expense for his injuries. I was told that the driver of the cart that hit Mr Graham was renting the golf cart, he didnt own it. So I am deducing that that incident might have sparked the attention of officials. Moreover, confiscation of golf carts will appease the local taxi and motoconcho drivers, many of which were opposed to the golf carts being driven around. They saw that as an increased threat to their business. Eventually I will visit AMET or the PN station to see what I can do about the situation. Or perhaps write off the golf cart if it becomes impossible to make it street legal to whom is in charge of this matter. Any insights anyone?
Last edited: